Thousands Of Young Doctors Strike Work, South Korean President Invites To Negotiate

Archives - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (center) during a meeting at the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Wednesday (4/2/2024). BETWEEN/YONHAP.

JAKARTA - South Korean President Yoon Seuk Yeol on Monday asked doctors to trust the government and engage in dialogue as thousands of junior doctors continued to strike a strike in protest against the government's medical reform plan.

Yoon issued the request during a meeting with doctors at the Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, his first visit to a hospital since the strike began last month in response to the government's plan to increase the quota for admission of 2,000 medical schools starting next year.

"I ask you to stop defending in your position that you cannot have a dialogue unless we adjust the increase in the registration quota and convince your juniors about the future," Yoon said, stressing the need to address the shortage of doctors. in an aging society, according to a spokesman, Kim Soo-kyung was reported by ANTARA, from Yonhap-OANA, Monday, March 18.

"To complete medical reform, doctors and nurses who know best about the field need to give their opinion about what is lacking and what needs to be improved," he said. Please trust the government and let's have a dialogue.

The government insists a high quota of medical school admissions is important to provide more doctors in rural areas and important areas, such as pediatricians and emergency units.

However, doctors denied the increase in quotas would reduce the quality of medical education and result in higher medical costs for patients.

They said the government should first increase compensation for low-paid specialist doctors and increase legal protection against excessive medical malpractice lawsuits.

Yoon thanked the doctors for their presence to keep working and continue treating patients during the ongoing strike.

She also visited a child center hospital and met young patients.